Tour Features

Located at 17° north of the Equator, on the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize is the only Central American country without a Pacific coastline. Belize’s territory is only 22,966 km² (8,867 sq. mi), but it has 386 km (240 mi) of spectacular coastline running along the Caribbean Sea, where many coral reefs, cays, and islands form the Belize Barrier Reef. This 322 km (200 mi) reef is second only to the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s the longest in the western hemisphere. Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south.

The climate in Belize is tropical, with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F) all year round. There’s a dry and a wet season in Belize. Dry season spans from December to April and has significantly lower rainfall than the rest of the year. Rain –if any at this time of the year– usually falls in mild, short bursts. Wet season starts in June and it lasts until December. This is when parts of the country receive up to 3,800 mm (150 inches) of rain and heavy storms occur, usually in the late afternoons. Hurricanes also strike Belize, mostly during the late Atlantic hurricane season (September to December), and while statistically Belize does not attract many major direct hits, it does get its share of severe tropical weather, with high winds and lots of rain.

Despite its small size, Belize’s biodiversity is truly outstanding, with many different ecosystems, ranging from swampy coastal plains with mangrove forests, to hills and low mountains in the south.

Belize is an ideal setting for bird watchers with many birding hotspots. In addition, six Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified in this country. The tropical forests, savannahs, numerous cayes, wetlands, and coastal plains of Belize offer a myriad of habitat to many birds.

There are 102 protected areas in Belize, placing 22.6% of its territory under some form of protection. Around 232,750 hectares (575,138 acres) of Broadleaf Forest; 7,460 hectares (18,434 aces) of Pine Forest and 3,090 hectares (7,635 acres) of Savannah land span through its entire territory. Known plants total up 3,408 species, including 58 endemics. There are 46 amphibians, 43 fresh water fish, 158 mollusks, 288 Lepidoptera, 176 Odonata, 141 reptiles, 606 birds (following IOC 8.1 species list standards) and 163 mammals. There are 2 endemic fish species, 2 amphibians and 1 reptile in Belize and 43 of its mammals are endangered.

Our tour has been specially designed for birders and naturalists to enjoy watching and photographing Belize’s natural diversity, adding Tikal as “the icing on the cake.” We invite you to join us on this fantastic Mesoamerican wildlife travel-adventure, exploring Belize and Tikal’s diverse wilderness and their vast cultural heritage.

Tour Highlights

Archaeological ruins of Lamanai (Belize) and Tikal (Guatemala), in the heart of the ancient Mayan World. More than 300 species of birds, including Ocellated Turkey, Crested Guan, Orange-breasted Falcon, Brown Jay, Montezuma Oropendola and many others.

INFORMATION

Arrival

Meeting with your Trogon Tours’ leader at Belize International Airport. Transfer to La Milpa Ecolodge. O/N La Milpa Ecolodge.

La Milpa Ecolodge

Full day exploring La Milpa Archaeological Site. O/N La Milpa Ecolodge

Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area.

Full day Río Bravo Conservation and Management Area. O/N La Milpa Ecolodge.

Crooked Tree

Early afternoon transfer to Crooked Tree. Afternoon birding Crooked Tree. O/N Bird’s Eye View Ecolodge.

Crooked Tree

Full day Crooked Tree. O/N Bird’s Eye View Ecolodge.

Lamanai Outpost Lodge

Morning Crooked Tree. Early afternoon transfer to Lamanai Outpost Lodge. O/N Lamanai Outpost Lodge.

Lamanai

Full day Lamanai Ruins and trails. O/N Lamanai Outpost Lodge.

Transfer to Hidden Valley

Morning transfer to Hidden Valley. Afternoon birding Hidden Valley. O/N Hidden Valley Inn.

Hidden Valley

Full day Hidden Valley. O/N Hidden Valley Inn.

Morning Chiquibul

Forest Reserve. Afternoon transfer to Chaa Creek Lodge. O/N Chaa Creek Lodge.

Chaa Creek

Early Morning birding Chaa Creek. After breakfast, we will drive across the border and into Guatemala to go visiting Tikal National Park. O/N Tikal.

Tikal National Park

Full day exploring Tikal National Park. O/N Tikal.

Flight back to Belize

Morning transfer to Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores, to take a flight back to Belize City, followed by boat transfer to Caye Caulker. O/N Caye Caulker.

Caye Caulker

Full day exploring Caye Caulker. O/N Caye Caulker.

Transfer to Belize City

Morning boat transfer to Belize City, followed by drive to Belize International Airport. Tour Conclusion.

From our gallery